NEW YORK - The final stretch of the 2006 MLS regular season has arrived. In about six weeks, four teams will see their season end, while eight clubs will vie for the MLS Cup. Entering this weekend's action, seven teams have eight games remaining, four teams have seven games left and one, Kansas City, has just six games left.
Regardless of the results this weekend, all 12 MLS teams will remain in contention to make the playoffs. While D.C. United, FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo are in good position, the other nine teams in MLS must grab all the points they can in the coming weeks.
D.C. United can become the first team to guarantee a spot in this year's MLS Cup playoffs if any of the following occur this weekend:
Columbus can attain, at most, a total of 44 points while Kansas City can attain, at most, 48 points. D.C. United already has 47 points.
In the Eastern Conference, Columbus and Kansas City have the steepest roads to climb in order to make the playoffs. By virtue of its 2-2 tie with the New York Red Bulls last night, Kansas City must take full advantage of the six games it has left. This Saturday, New England travels to Columbus, thus giving the Crew a chance to avenge the 1-0 defeat it suffered in New England on Sunday. Columbus trails fourth-place Kansas City by seven points and has seven games left.
In the Western Conference, Colorado has the disadvantage of playing six of its last eight games on the road, but Los Angeles, currently three points behind Colorado and Real Salt Lake, has the most ground to make up. In their inaugural seasons last year, both Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake finished well out of playoff contention. This year, postseason play lies within reach for both.
United, FC Dallas and Houston also have other agendas in mind. D.C. United wants to secure a berth in next year's CONCACAF Champions Cup - a privilege that goes to the team with the best regular season record along with the Supporters' Shield trophy. FC Dallas and Houston are still within striking range of those spoils. United could set all-time MLS records for most points (held by Los Angeles, with 68 in 1998) or fewest losses (held by San Jose, with four in 2005). The two Texas rivals meet in Dallas this Saturday as they try to lock down home field advantage in the playoffs.
The regular season ends on Sunday, Oct. 15, and the MLS Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, Oct. 21. The third and fourth place teams from each conference host Conference Semifinal games on Oct. 21 or 22. The return-leg games of those Conference Semifinal series will be played on Oct. 28 or 29. For the Conference Championships, the highest remaining seeds will host a single match on Nov. 4 or 5.
MLS Cup 2006 will take place live on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 12 from Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.
